The value of investment transactions in all real estate market sectors, both in Poland and Europe, still significantly deviates from the scale of investments recorded before the outbreak of the pandemic. Nonetheless, last year saw the first signs of recovery in the hotel segment. The sale of the hotel part of The Warsaw Hub by Ghelamco signalled a return to investing international capital in the Polish market. In October last year, the Crown Plaza and Holiday Inn Express hotels were acquired by the French investment fund Corum. 2023 saw a total of four transactions, partially carried out by Polish investment entities, contributing to investments totalling around €83 million in this sector. In the first months of the current year, two hotels along the Baltic Sea changed hands. Walter Herz summarised the situation in the Polish hotel market.

Kinstellar has advised the hospitality division of the House of Julius Meinl on the completion of the purchase of the Hotel Ambasador, one of the most famous hotels in Bucharest. Operating continuously since 1937, it is an iconic landmark in the city. 

Julius Meinl Living has completed the purchase of Ambasador Hotel in Bucharest, with the project set to undergo a major revamp and reopen as The Julius Bucharest in 2027.

The Dornych project by Crestyl Group is to replace the old shopping centre in the neighbourhood of Brno's Central Station in the upcoming years. The developer has now announced a hotel as a part of this development. Its opening is planned for mid-2028.

Mitiska REIM has announced the sale of a 6.7ha land plot in Gliwice (Silesia, Poland) to Momentum Leisure to develop a theme and water park at Europa Centralna retail centrre The price has not been disclosed. 

Marriott International, Inc., announced its plans to expand its portfolio in Poland with the expected addition of more than 10 properties in the next few years, including the debut of two brands - Le Méridien and Element Hotels by Westin - in the market. The anticipated openings will further enhance the company’s footprint in the country, where it currently has a portfolio of 24 properties and over 4,500 rooms across 12 brands and eight cities - Warsaw, Sopot, Kraków, Poznań, Katowice, Wrocław, Gdynia and Szczecin. 

Businessman Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former US President Donald Trump, is now venturing into the Balkans with ambitious plans for transformative property developments across Albania and Serbia. Through his Miami-based private equity firm, Affinity Partners, Kushner is engaged in advanced discussions for investments exceeding $1 billion, aiming to reshape the landscape of tourism and real estate in Southeast Europe, the New York Post reports.

The highest hotel in Prague, Corinthia has joined the Czech Inn Hotels chain, reports Newstream.cz. The plan is to gradually modernize the hotel and revitalize the rooms, but with great emphasis on preserving the unique character and historical value of the building.

The first Ibis Styles hotel will open on the Romanian seaside this summer following a franchise agreement signed by Accor and Paradis Hotels & Resort, a company owned by Romanian entrepreneur Aurelian Marin.

Global hotel operator Accor Group will introduce its premium hotel brand Pullman after taking over the management role at Hard Rock Hotel in Budapest. The opening is scheduled for the end of March 2024.